Introduction
Reinforced cement is a strong building material made from cement, sand and gravel with steel bars inside. This makes the cement much tougher and less likely to crack over time. Roof decks made from reinforced cement can last 50 years or longer if done right.
A reinforced concrete roof deck cost more to build than other types like asphalt or wood roofs. The normal money needed for a reinforced cement roof is:
Reinforced concrete
roof deck cost
$11 – $17 /sqft
$18,000 – $30,000 Average Cost to Install 1600 sqft
This article will show what materials are needed and how much work it takes to put on a reinforced cement roof. It will also give estimates for roofs of different sizes.
Average Reinforced concrete roof deck cost
Knowing the size of your roof helps figure out how much it may cost. The price depends on the area in square feet. Most roofs in the U.S. are around 1,500 square feet. Here are cost ranges for cement roofs of different sizes:
Roof Size (Square Feet) | Cost Range ($) |
---|---|
1,000 | $10,800 to $18,000 |
1,300 | $15,000 to $24,000 |
1,600 | $18,000 to $30,000 |
1,900 | $21,000 to $36,000 |
2,200 | $24,000 to $42,000 |
2,500 | $27,000 to $48,000 |
As the roof gets bigger, the total costs go up too. But the cost per square foot usually stays close to $11 to $17.
Labor Costs of Reinforced concrete roof deck
It takes skilled workers to properly build and install concrete roof tiles. Several tasks require time and labor expenses. labor expeses make the most of the reinforced concrete roof deck cost. Here is a detailed table showing estimated average costs for each type of labor:
Task | Cost per hour | Cost for 10 tiles |
---|---|---|
Formwork installation | $20 | $100 |
Concrete placement | $15 | $75 |
Rebar installation | $12 | $60 |
Inspections | $25 | $50 |
Total labor cost | # | $285 |
Larger roof projects with more tiles will cost more in labor. Additional labor may also be needed for complex tile designs that require special formwork skills.
Types of Concrete Roof deck Tiles

Flat Tiles
Flat tile roofs use cement tiles that are all flat. The roofers lay the tiles right next to each other across the whole roof. Since the tiles are flat, rain slides off them easily. Flat tiles don’t cost a lot. Their design is very basic so they are fast to install on the roof. Roofers can put them up quickly. This makes flat tiles a lower price than other styles with harder designs.
Mission Tiles
Mission tile roofs use cement tiles with curved edges. The tiles make an S shape when laid in rows. This creates a unique pattern and shadow lines on the roof. The curved edges look nice but take more work to cut and install correctly compared to flat tiles.
Barrel Tiles
Barrel tile roofs use thick cement tiles shaped like standing barrels. It is hard to put on the barrel shaped tiles because each one must be placed just right. The curved barrels must look nice all over the huge roof. This is why barrel tiles cost more than flat or mission tiles.
French Tiles
French tile roofs have cement tiles that fit together. The tiles are cut into shapes and patterns that decorate the roof. When the roofers put the tiles together, the shapes form pictures across the roof surface. it takes extra work to cut the tiles into shapes, French tile roofs require more labor hours.
Tile Type | Price Range |
---|---|
Flat Tiles | $4 to $10 |
Mission Tiles | $8 to $10 |
Barrel Tiles | $12 to $20 |
French Tiles | $9 to $14 |
Material Costs

Concrete
Concrete is the main material used to make roof tiles. It is a thick liquid that hardens into a strong solid. Workers pour the wet concrete into molds to form the tiles. A standard 80-pound bag of concrete powder costs around $25. The bag makes enough concrete to fill several tile molds.
Metal bars (rebar)
Small metal bars called rebar are added to the wet concrete before it hardens. Rebar makes the tiles stronger and more durable. If the concrete cracks, the rebar holds it together. Rolls of rebar typically cost about $4 per foot. Workers cut and place the rebar inside the concrete tile molds.
Wood forms
Carpenters build frames out of wood boards to use as molds. The frames are the shapes that the wet concrete will harden into. Frames for simple flat tiles may cost around $2 per square foot due to their easy design. More complex molds for specialty tile shapes would cost more money.
Waterproof membrane (optional)
Some roofers apply a protective layer underneath the tiles. This waterproof material keeps rain from leaking into the roof. Waterproof membrane rolls cost about $3 per square foot. It provides extra protection for the wood on the roof.
Material | Average Cost |
---|---|
Concrete | $25 per bag |
Reinforcing bar | $4 per foot |
Wood forms | $2 per square foot |
Waterproofing | $3 per square foot |
Additional Expenses
There are some other costs involved in concrete tile roof projects:
- Permits and drawings – Engineers may need to draw plans. These get approved by permit offices, which charge application fees.
- Special decorations – Some people want unique patterns or colors on tiles. This custom work costs extra money for special materials, molds and time.
- Future fixes – Over many years, tiles may crack or break in storms. Repairing or replacing some costs money years later to protect the roof.
The total reinforced concrete roof deck cost is more than just materials and labor. Here is a table with estimated additional expenses:
Expense | Average Cost |
---|---|
Permits and drawings | $200 |
Custom tiles (per tile) | $50 |
Future repairs (20+ yrs) | $1000 |
Getting permits and approvals is required by law. Engineering plans help ensure quality. Special designs take extra time and care. Repairs are needed occasionally as time passes. All these extra expenses should be planned for a complete concrete tile roof project budget.
Factors that Affect Cost

Roof Size and Design Complexity
Larger roof areas require more time, materials and labor to complete. Roofs that are multi-level or have difficult shapes increase reinforced concrete roof deck cost.
Tile/Surface Options
Basic concrete tiles are the most affordable choice. Custom designs, or specialized molds used for decorative tiles increase material expenses.
Site Accessibility
If the roof is hard to reach or unsafe, reinforced concrete roof deck cost more . Workers may need things like scaffolding to reach high areas. Special equipment and safety rules mean extra labor costs to keep people protected.
Code Requirements
Regulations for reinforced concrete roof vary between residential and commercial buildings. Stricter commercial standards mandate structural designs that demand more planning and inspections work. Following applicable codes impacts overall job expenses.
Potential Savings
Conclusion
It’s important for homeowners to understand reinforced concrete roof deck cost. Knowing the full expenses up front helps make a good budget plan.
Things like materials, workers, permits, and cost to pour a reinforced concrete deck under the tiles must be researched. Concrete lasts a very long time and is very strong. But it costs more at first than other kinds of roofs.
Concrete tiles look nice and keep the home safe for many years. But the project costs more money than easier options. Learning about how concrete tiles are put on the roof, and might need repairs, can help you find savings.
It also helps decide if they are worth the cost. If you get ready well, a concrete tile roof can be affordable even though it protects the home for a long time. Taking time to learn the costs first makes the roof cheaper to pay for and a good choice too.
FAQs
What is the cost of RCC roof?
A roof made of reinforced concrete (RCC) costs more at first. But it protects the home for many years without repairs.
What is a reinforced concrete roof deck?
It’s the hard base under roof tiles. Metal wire called rebar is put in wet concrete pour. This reinforces the concrete and prevents cracks.
How thick should a concrete roof deck be?
A concrete roof base should be around 3-4 inches thick. Thicker is stronger but costs more to build. This thickness withstands weather well.
Is concrete roof cheaper?
No, concrete roofs have higher initial costs than other materials. But concrete lasts 50+ years with minimal fixes. So it saves money in the long run versus roofs that must be replaced every 20 years.